Carrie

If you look closely you can see my grey bra through my shirt.  Just like Carrie Bradshaw if she bought her clothes at thrift stores and this was 2001.  


Shirt: ? via Goodwill
Belt and Shoes: Old Navy
Jeans: Levis via Savers
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Spring in My Bag

I spent a little too much time yesterday lusting over some yellow patent leather shoes. To help mitigate the craving for bright yellow and save my wallet from disaster - I dug out one of my favorite bags - Rebecca Minkoff  MAB Luxe in sunshine leather.  Love this bag.


T-shirt: Old Navy
Sweater: ? via Amazon
Skirt: J. Crew
Shoes: Me Too
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff MAB Luxe

Easy

If you have ever seen my Pintrest board you would notice I have a thing for Diane von Furstenberg.  Although my budget will probably never allow for an original wrap dress, I was excited to see this DvF inspired dress at the Gap yesterday.  Thanks to a sale (30% off in stores this week!) and coupon, the dress ended up costing me .97 cents.   Which is a bargain since I plan to wear it a lot.  

Dress: Gap
Boots: Report
Bag: Hayden Harnett/Paule Marrot Tuileries Satchel

back to Fall

The only good thing about today's colder weather is that I remembered to pull out my Frye Campus boots that I did not wear nearly enough this winter. 

Sweater: H&M
Jacket: J. Crew via Goodwill
Jeans: Levis
Boots: Frye
Purse: Hayden Harnett / Paule Marrot Tuileries Printed Leather Satchel, Leopard Print

Practically Perfect

I have to go to court this morning (in case the suit wasn't enough of a hint) so I brought out my Hayden Harnett Sonia bag. This bag is great for court days because I can fit a legal sized case file and have plenty of room for a wallet, keys, phone, etc.


Suit: Theory via Goodwill
Shirt: Lands End Canvas
Shoes: Seychelles
Scarf: Jessica Simpson
Bag: Hayden Harnett Sonia

Comfort Clothes

Just like mac n' cheese, sometimes all that will do is a pair of stretched out jeans and a t-shirt.


T-shirt: Urban Outfitters
Sweater: J. Crew
Jeans: Levis
Shoes: Uggs

Growing Girl or Shrinking dress?

Either I have gotten taller or this dress has gotten shorter.  Or maybe it is both.      In spite of the fact that it is probably not appropriate for an middle age lady to wear to work - I still love this dress.  And since I will be spending all of today sitting behind (or maybe under) my desk trying to write a complex memorandum, I figure no one will notice.


Dress: Thakoon for Target 
Jacket: Gap via Savers
Boots: Gap
Necklace: Gift from a friend

One Out of Two Ain't Bad

As part of my current obsession with simplifying ALL THE THINGS in my life, I have been trying to get rid of one item of clothing every day. This morning I started with a top that I've never worn but just could not make work for me. Next on the chopping block was this sweatshirt. I bought this sweatshirt (it is part of a sweatsuit!) one day when I got caught in a rain shower on the way back to work and needed something to wear besides soaking wet jeans and a t-shirt.

I am not really a sweatshirt person - especially a short sleeved one. But when I tried it on again today I was surprised at how much I liked it. So it was spared for the day, maybe even longer.

Sweatshirt: ?

T-shirt: Old Navy

Jeans: Levis

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

P.S. All my effort yesterday was not for nothing - I got to wear my own socks during the MRI.

Socks

I actually started the morning wearing a very cute skirt in celebration of today's spring like weather.  I even shaved my legs!  Then I remembered that I have an MRI this afternoon and I decided I needed to be wearing socks.  Even though I know from my many previous MRIs that they will not let me wear my own socks and that they will likely give me some socks to wear - I became obsessed with the need to wear socks.   


So I jettisoned the cute skirt, threw on the first pair of clean looking pants (which unfortunately turned out to be these too tight too short cords), threw on a scarf and jacket and left the house.  


Maybe I should have them MRI my brain while they are at it today.  Clearly it does not work right.


Sweater:  Old Navy
Jacket: Gap via Savers
Scarf: ? via Savers
Cords: J. Crew via Goodwill
Shoes: very Volatile

Saved by the Bag

This weekend I spent a considerable amount of time listing a bunch of handbags for sale. As I was going through my piles of conspicuous consumption I found this lovely bag THAT I DON'T REMEMBER buying. Looking through my blog archives it appears I've owned the bag since June 2010 which would also seem to be the last time I carried it.

As I was taking photos this morning I could not seem to take one that did not make me look chubby and awkward. Just as I was about to give up, I thought I'd take one with the bag. Lo and behold, the bag's awesomeness made the whole outfit look better. Now I just need an excuse to carry it around the office all day.

Bag: Hayden Harnett Trophy Satchel in yam shine

Sweater, Skirt, Necklace: J. Crew

Shirt: Francesca's

Shoes: Max Studio via TJ Maxx

Bracelet: gift from mr. deathstar

Whine and Cheese Party

This week has been exhausting. Even though all I have done is sleep, work on my Post It Note gallery*, and attend a (depressing) seminar on domestic violence, I feel as though I have been working non-stop for a month. My exhaustion has resulted in some pretty boring wardrobe choices - including this sartorial snoozer.

Tank: Madewell

Cardigan: Old Navy

Jacket: Chadwicks

Jeans: Levis

Shoes: Gap

* a work in progress

Gloomy Tuesday

I don't know how it is for you, but Daylight Savings time is kicking my ass. It has only been two days but my whole schedule has been thrown off. I've been oversleeping, missing my morning runs, eating poorly, and generally feeling grumpy.

Although you've seen this dress a few times before, I have not carried this purse in quite a while. I have been going through my purse collection and, as with my clothing, anything I have not carried recently is getting sold. Not wanting to get rid of this bag, I had to use it today.

Dress: Tucker

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Purse: Alexander McQueen

If it is Monday I Must Be Grumpy and Tired

Or is it I am Grumpy and Tired and therefore it must be Monday? I've never understood math.

I think it is time to accept that this outfit does not work for me. It is cute but I'm just not comfortable in it.

Tunic and Shoes: Target

Leggings: Uniqlo

Do Flashers Get Dental?

This morning I took a new approach to my never-ending battle with stuff and decided to fill a bag of clothing donations to bring to the Goodwill before work. I grabbed anything I did not wear in the last year* and threw it in the bag. Except for this dress.

I bought this dress in 2001 and have worn it three times. One reason for its limited use is, of course, that it did not fit for many of those years. The other reason is that the dress has a snap closures that unsnap with the slightest provocation (such as sitting down or reaching to shake someone's hand) (I should probably have a tailor replace them with a zipper or something but I have not yet ruled out a career as a Flasher). Therefore I need to wear a full slip underneath it and make sure I plan to have a low movement day. In spite of these handicaps (and the fact that the dress is probably way out of style), I cannot quit this dress. So tonight it will get put back in the closet with the hanger in the worn direction and will live to stay another year.

* this is where the "hanger trick" comes in handy (every time you wear an item - put it back in your closet with the hanger facing the opposite direction as the other clothes. This makes it easy to pull all the unused hangers when doing a quick declutter.

Dress: ?

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Bracelet: gift from mr. deathstar

P.S. That black furry thing on my shoulder is not a rat, but actually my hair.

P.P.S. Maybe I should have let you think it was a rat rather than admit that my hair looks like that today.

Uncluttering Report Part Two: DVDs, Electronics, and Games

I spent a portion of yesterday drooling over the new iPad and wondering whether it was time to upgrade my first generation iPad (if not the most prized, certainly the most used item in my home).  This lead me to investigate outlets for selling my current iPad which in turn reminded me that Amazon.com has a trade in program where you can trade your unused electronics, video games and DVDs for an Amazon Gift Card.   


The trade in prices are far less than you might get if you sold your stuff on eBay or craigslist, but it is far quicker and easier.  Just by going through one drawer in my house I found DVDs and games that will bring me $60.  Plus they are willing to give me $44 for Henry my very old iPod classic.   


So for a few minutes of my time I've made $104 in gift certificates which will fund my coffee and book habit for at least a month.  


If only they took purses!  

Red, Blue, and Spring

To welcome the lovely weather that is expected today, I put on this cheery shirt. I hope Spring likes it enough to stick around for a while. Of course, just because it is warm outside does not mean that I am not cold, so I threw on my Marc by Marc Jacobs super bargain jacket until I warm up.

Shirt: H&M

Jacket: Marc by Marc Jacobs via TJ Maxx

Jeans: Levis

Shoes: Dr. Martens

Leopard Power

I've been having a bad body image week - which I rectified today by digging out this leopard print pencil skirt and putting on some heels.

Skirt: J. Crew

Sweater: Gap Factory

Tank: Old Navy

Necklace: gift from bff

Shoes: Max Studio via TJ Maxx

Jealousy

My sister is currently getting on a plane to go to Hawaii and I am too jealous to post today.

Shirt and Shoes: Old Navy

Sweater: J. Crew

Jeans: Levis

Monday Rush

I skipped my morning run today, which should have given me more time than usual to get ready this morning. But instead of using the time to construct a cute outfit, I ended up gathering supplies for another decluttering project* and threw on the first things I found.

I do want to give a shout out to my internet friend T for giving me this lovely necklace (among other goodies). She has awesome taste and I was really excited to get this.

Tank: ?

Shirt: ? via TJ Maxx

Jeans: Old Navy

Boots: Ugg

Necklace: gift

* I've been lazy about whittling down my purse collection but will be listing lots more in the next few weeks. If you have any interest - check out my booth here.

Project Unclutter - Paper edition

I started this blog with the intention of documenting my efforts to decrease the stuff in my life. Like most things I endeavor to do, the project took many strange and paradoxical turns along the way and it seemed I was adding more stuff to my life rather than reducing it. Today, I am happy to report that I am finally making some progress.

This week's project: reduce the paper in my life.

Although I do not cook, I am always collecting recipes and cookbooks. I like to think that someday I might learn to cook and when that happens, it will be critical for me to have a recipe for caramel apple cake from the October 1998 issue of Cooking Light.

The same thing with magazines. I harbor some odd paranoia that in a few years I will want to buy a pair of boots that I saw in Lucky Magazine in 2008 so I keep the magazine (or more often a clipping) for reference.

For months piles of these clippings have been building up all over the house and totally draining my mental energy.

The solution was simple, but it took me a long time to implement it.

I started by picking up a Fujitsu scanner (I realize the sad irony of buying more stuff to have less stuff). If my documents were just black and white (and I was unethical person who did personal work on company time*) I could have used my scanner at work but many of my documents are color so I went with the Fujitsu).

The I started the process of scanning the piles. The recipe files I've placed in DropBox or Evernote. Magazine inspirations I've been posting over on my Pintrest board.

I'm only 1/4 of the way in but already I feel lighter. I've even thrown away a few things without scanning them!

My progress so far!

* technically I may have brought my scanner to work today to work on this for a bit, but I've done lots of work stuff too - I swear.

Busy

Today is an exciting day in my fight against stuff. I will go into details later but in the meantime, this is what I threw on before running out the door.

Sweater and Shoes: Old Navy

Skirt: Urban Outfitters

Belt: ?

Mr. Snuffleupagus

This top has a totally flattering neckline that I am unable to capture on camera. You will just have to take my, and Big Bird's, word for it.

Shirt: Boden

Jeans: Levis

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

P.S. I realize that vampire / mirror reference may have been more appropriate - since I clearly did not look in a mirror and realize how wrinkled these jeans are. But since I went through the trouble of looking up the spelling of Snuffleupagus, I decided to stay with obscure early Sesame Street.

P.P.S. No I have not had my coffee yet, is it that obvious?